Science Says Vodka And Red Bull Mixer Has A Similar Affect On Your Brain As Cocaine

Put down that vodka and Red Bull, and defiantly put down that Jagerbomb!

I know what you’re thinking, ‘caffeine and alcohol are only bad for you if you constantly drink it’, which is sorta true. But, it’s not the reason I’m telling you to stop.

Researchers at the Purdue University in Indiana have recently discovered that the pleasant mix of caffeine and alcohol can have some dangerous and long last after effects on your brain.

While caffeine may be good for you, a caffeine based cocktail is certainly not good for anyone. According to newly found research, the mixture of caffeine and alcohol can have the same long-term effects on your brain as cocaine.

They discovered this by testing on mice. What they found was in the majority of adolescent mice, there was an increase in locomotor activity. This was because of the caffeine and alcohol mix, and it produced more locomotor activity than caffeine on its own.

The effect was similar to the one produced by giving the mice cocaine. The researchers also learnt that by giving the mice a mixture of alcohol and caffeine, it could enhance or sensitise it’s behavioural response to cocaine later on. This also works the other way around.

Not only that but the researchers also found an elevated level of the protein ΔFosB in the nucleus accumbens of the mice who were given caffeine and alcohol -the nucleus accumbens is an area of great importance in the brain. This change was also present in mice that were given cocaine.

The age of the mice is also important. Since the majority of mice influenced the most were adolescent mice, it suggests that younger brains are more vulnerable to the effects of mixing alcohol and caffeine. But why?

Well, adolescent brains are still being moulded, so they’re all squishy, like a sponge. So, this means everyone

So, this means everyone, especially teens, should hold off on drinking alcohol and caffeine mixers, or maybe wait until you’re a lot older. In the meantime, maybe just grab yourself a beer or a glass of wine.